i have kaposi sarcoma and have been treated 3 times by radiation on my right foot. is there any treatment available that can control the sarcoma from spreading. recently i've noticed 3 spots on my back. thanks leo

Response from Dr. Dezube

Dear Leo, It is very important that you take anti-retroviral drugs! Are you taking something for your HIV? The higher your CD4 cell count, the less likely it will be for your KS to spread. If you have a few new KS lesions on the spot, then these lesions can be treated with therapy directly to your back (e.g. panretin gel or chemotherapy directly into the tumor); however, if your provider feels it's necessary to give something to treat your entire body, then chemotherapy is the way to go. There are two forms of liposomal chemotherapy (DaunoXome and Doxil); both have a liposomal (sort of like cholesterol) membrane, which serves as a targeting mechanism allowing the chemotherapy to concentrate in the KS lesions. Neither of these agents typically cause hair loss. It would pay for you to see a care provider familiar with KS. The "AIDS Malignancy Consortium" website has a list of AIDS cancer experts located throughout the U.S. Hope this helps. Good Luck. BD.

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